should be got

USAGE SUMMARY

"should be got" is not correct or usable in written English.
This type of phrasing is more commonly seen in spoken English than written. For example, you might hear someone say, "We should get some food for the party." In written English, you would instead say, "We should obtain some food for the party."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"They are a pest and should be got rid of.

The Guardian

They should be got rid of as soon as possible".

The New York Times

"It's well known that somebody should be got into a stroke unit within three hours of having a stroke.

The Guardian

"For Russians, a strong state is not an anomaly which should be got rid of," he wrote in a lengthy manifesto.

The New Yorker

As one commentator put it: "When it comes to criminal justice policy, perhaps this government's slogan should be: "Got a complex social issue?

The Economist

He said TV was in the hands of "time servers, who should be got rid of", and welcomed the news of departures at the BBC.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"We should be getting aggressive.

The New York Times

"People should be getting their act together.

Independent

"We should be getting beyond this.

Independent

They should be getting more than nine.

The New York Times

You should be getting out, meeting people.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, replace "should be got" with more precise and grammatically standard alternatives like "should be obtained" or "needs to be acquired".

Common error

Avoid using passive voice excessively. Phrases like "should be got" can often be rephrased in active voice for clearer and more direct communication. For instance, instead of "the problem should be got rid of", consider "we should eliminate the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be got" primarily functions as part of a passive construction, indicating necessity or advisability. Ludwig AI analysis suggests it is not a standard grammatical form. This aligns with the observation that it expresses a recommendation or requirement but in a less formal and somewhat questionable grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "should be got" appears in various contexts, especially in News & Media, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, recommending more formal alternatives like "should be obtained" or "needs to be acquired". When aiming for clarity and precision, especially in formal writing, it's best to opt for these more grammatically sound options. This ensures effective communication and maintains credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be obtained

Replaces "got" with a more formal synonym "obtained", increasing the level of formality.

should be acquired

Similar to "obtained", "acquired" provides a more sophisticated tone.

should be received

Focuses on the action of receiving something, suitable when the emphasis is on the act of getting.

should be attained

Implies a degree of effort or achievement in getting something.

should be secured

Suggests making something safe or certain to get.

ought to be obtained

Replaces "should" with "ought to" to convey a sense of moral obligation, while also using a more formal synonym for "got".

must be obtained

Uses "must" instead of "should" to indicate a stronger necessity.

needs to be acquired

Employs "needs to be" to emphasize the necessity of the acquisition.

has to be obtained

Conveys a sense of obligation or requirement, replacing "should" with "has to".

is required to be acquired

States a formal requirement of acquisition.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "should be got"?

You can use alternatives like "should be obtained", "needs to be acquired", or "must be secured" depending on the context.

Is "should be got" grammatically correct?

While used in some contexts, "should be got" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It's better to use more formal alternatives.

In what situations is "should be got" most likely to be used?

The phrase "should be got" is more commonly found in informal speech and less formal writing, such as news articles or casual conversation.

How can I make my writing sound more formal when I want to say something "should be got"?

To sound more formal, replace "should be got" with alternatives like "should be obtained", "should be acquired", or "is required to be acquired".